In vitro study of the influence of strain rate on the strain at dissection of atherosclerotic arteries during balloon inflation

Long term success rate of percutaneous transluminal (coronary) angioplasty is limited by restenosis. Arterial lesions have been related to restenosis, although the nature of this relation is still unclear. Because the arterial wall structure has both elastic and viscous properties, we expect the mechanical behaviour of the arterial wall during angioplasty to be strain rate dependent. We here describe the results of our experiments to test the influence of strain rate on the strain at the moment of dissection during angioplasty.